So the other day I set up a new WordPress install. Unlike most of the WordPress setups I’m running, for this one I wanted to disable commenting completely.
This being WordPress, of course, accomplishing this from a stock install is impossible. Surprise, surprise, to disable all commenting you have to turn to a plugin. The Disable Comments plugin does a nice job of implementing a feature that practically screams to be included in the WordPress core.
This plugin allows administrators to globally disable comments on any post type (posts, pages, attachments, etc.) so that these settings cannot be overridden for individual posts. It also removes all comment-related fields from edit and quick-edit screens.
Additionally, comment-related items can be removed from the Dashboard, Widgets, the Admin Menu and the Admin Bar.
